Get your boots polished and your coattails pressed because Toronto is about to saddle up for the 95th annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair from November 3 to 12. The Royal began in 1922 and is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian event. Whether you are into world-class competition, learning about locally-sourced food, or getting up-close to show animals on their own turf, The Royal has something for everyone, making it a perennial favourite for close to a century.

“Since its humble beginnings 95 years ago, The Royal has grown into a beloved Toronto tradition and an arena of excellence for culinary arts, agriculture, and equine sport,” said Charlie Johnstone, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “From top chefs and food producers offering the best in the farm-to-table movement to decorated Olympian equestrians competing for a place on The Royal podium, the Fair is a celebration and recognition of the best that Canada has to offer the world.”

To commemorate its 95th year, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair will kick off this year’s event with an all-out celebration on Opening Day and fairgoers will be treated to a piece of anniversary cake. Feeling like a stretch later? Downward Dog is so passé. How about trying a Downward Goat instead? Join a special yoga session the evening of Friday, November 3rd with some furry and flexible participants - goats from Haute Goat.

New and Noteworthy for 2017

Burnbrae Farms and Food Lifestyle Stage: Join Indigenous Chef David Wolfman for an indigenous fusion cooking demonstration on November 5th. Thinking of trading the rat race for greener pastures? You won’t want to miss Brent Preston. Brent left Toronto to start a vegetable farm in Creemore, Ontario and will regale guests with his adventures in farming while Momofuku Diashou’s Paula Navarrete cooks up some great food for audience members to sample.

Farm To Table Discovery Zone: Meet beekeepers, find out how greenhouses work, and take a virtual reality tour of a dairy farm at the new Farm To Table Discovery Zone. Offering interactive, fun and educational experiences for the whole family, fairgoers can see, touch and taste their way through all the steps in growing and supplying local foods.

Birds of Prey Demonstrations: Believe it or not, hawks and owls play a very important role in modern agriculture. For the first time ever, The Royal will host a series of daily birds of prey demonstrations to thrill fairgoers and illustrate the relationship between farmers and their feathery friends.

A Place to Grow: One-in-eight people are employed in Canada’s agricultural industry and A Place to Grow is an interactive, chronological walk through the past, present, and future of this important part of our country’s fabric. Presented by the University of Guelph and supported by Ontario150, guests get a first-hand look at early indigenous food production, an introduction to the science and innovation in present-day agriculture, and see how food gets from Ontario fields to the world’s dinner tables.

Prized Classics

Butter sculpting, Ontario Toyota Dealers Rodeo. and the K9 Equine Relay featuring the President’s Choice SuperDogs, are just a few family favourites that will be back at the Fair this year. There will also be a lot of opportunities to wine, dine, and unwind. From the Craft Beer and Cider Awards to The Royal Wine Competition, there is more than one way to sip, sample, and savour great local food and beverages at The Royal. Check out the Food and Lifestyle Events.

Boots and Hearts is back with their Emerging Artist showcase at The Royal. Check out Canada’s best up-and-coming country artists – winner Jade Egleson and finalists Emma Wright and Josh Ross performing live on Friday, November 3rd. Visit our Entertainment section.

The Royal Horse Shows hosts more than 1,000 competitors and offers $1 million in prize money over the course of its ten-day run. International show jumping athletes make their way to Toronto from all corners of the world to compete in the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto on Wednesday evening, November 8th. This year top ranked international competitors will include Olympians Kent Farrington and McLain Ward, ranked #1 and #3 in the world respectively.

In addition to international competition, the $100,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championship returns in 2017. Top-ranked Canadian riders, including 12-time winner and defending champion Ian Millar of Perth, ON, will go head-to-head over two days on November 3rd and 4th, with the winner being crowned the Canadian Show Jumping Champion. For more information visit The Horse Shows.